Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method comprising the steps of: identifying, in a set of customers of a packet communications network, a top usage subset, said top usage subset comprising those of said customers who are using more bandwidth of said packet communications network than other ones of said customers, said top usage subset including at least two of said customers; identifying, at an entry point of said communications network, routes of packets destined for said top usage subset, said routes comprising border gateway protocol routes, by: identifying a next hop for those of said packets destined for said top usage subset; based on said next hops, determining said routes of said packets destined for said top usage subset; and tagging said routes of said packets destined for said top usage subset with border gateway protocol community tags as tagged customer-specific routes with identical next hops; and discarding a predetermined percentage of said packets destined for said top usage subset, based on said border gateway protocol community tags, said predetermined percentage being determined in order to reduce bandwidth utilization of said packet communications network by a desired amount, said predetermined percentage being identical for all of said customers in said top usage subset.
The system monitors network traffic to identify the top bandwidth users (at least two) on a packet-based network. It then finds the network routes (using Border Gateway Protocol) used by those top users at the network's entry point. The system identifies the next hop for packets destined for these top users, determines the routes based on these hops, and tags these routes with BGP community tags for customer-specific routes sharing identical next hops. Finally, the system discards a set percentage of packets going to those top users to reduce overall network bandwidth usage. The percentage is the same for all users in the top usage group.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising refraining from discarding any of those of said packets destined for special customers not eligible for traffic policing.
Building upon the system for managing bandwidth usage by discarding packets to top users, the system exempts certain "special customers" from this traffic policing. Packets destined for these special customers are not discarded, regardless of their bandwidth usage. The system specifically avoids discarding any packets intended for these special, prioritized customers.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said special customers comprise premium customers who have paid an additional fee for a higher level of service.
Building on the previous system, the "special customers" who are exempt from traffic policing are defined as "premium customers." These premium customers have paid an additional fee to receive a higher level of service, ensuring that their network traffic is not subjected to the standard packet discarding procedure applied to other high-bandwidth users.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein said special customers comprise commercial customers identified by internet protocol address.
Building on the system where special customers are exempt, the "special customers" are defined as commercial customers. These commercial customers are identified based on their internet protocol (IP) addresses. The system maintains a list or database of IP addresses belonging to commercial customers, and packets destined for these addresses are not discarded.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein said special customers comprise commercial customers identified by reference to a billing database.
Building on the system where special customers are exempt, the "special customers" are defined as commercial customers identified through a billing database. The system consults a billing database to determine if a destination IP address or user is associated with a commercial account, and it refrains from discarding packets directed to these customers based on this billing information.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said identifying of said top usage subset comprises: ranking all of said customers of said packet communications network from highest usage to lowest usage, based on usage of said packet communications network for a predetermined time period, to obtain a ranked list having a top and a bottom; and picking at least two of said customers from said top of said ranked list to obtain said top usage subset, said picking being carried out by adding said customers from said top of said ranked list until a sufficient number of members are present in said top usage subset to obtain said desired amount of reduction in bandwidth utilization.
To identify the top bandwidth users for packet discarding, the system ranks all network customers from highest to lowest bandwidth usage over a set time period. It then picks the top two or more customers from the high-usage end of this ranked list. Customers are added to the "top usage subset" until the bandwidth reduction achieved by discarding their packets reaches the desired amount. This process effectively targets the biggest bandwidth consumers for traffic shaping.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising checking whether a predetermined maximum number of members are in said top usage subset, and, responsive to said checking indicating that said predetermined maximum number of members are in said top usage subset, refraining from adding additional members to said top usage subset even if a sufficient number of members to obtain said desired amount of reduction in bandwidth utilization are not present in said top usage subset.
Expanding on the method for identifying top bandwidth users, the system checks if the number of customers in the "top usage subset" has reached a pre-defined maximum. If the maximum is reached, the system stops adding more customers to the subset, even if the desired bandwidth reduction hasn't been achieved. This prevents the system from excessively policing traffic, even if greater reduction is needed.
8. The method of claim 6 , further comprising refraining from said discarding step during off peak times for said packet communications network
Building on the base packet discarding system, the system refrains from discarding packets during off-peak hours for the network. This ensures that users experience unimpeded bandwidth during periods of lower network congestion, applying the traffic policing only when it is most needed.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising preparing a report listing said customers in said top usage subset.
In addition to identifying and policing top bandwidth users, the system generates a report listing the customers who are currently included in the "top usage subset." This report provides visibility into which customers are being subjected to packet discarding for traffic management.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of discarding said predetermined percentage of said packets destined for said top usage subset comprises: examining, at said entry point of said communications network, all incoming packets; in a case that a first given one of said incoming packets is not from one of said tagged routes, passing said first given one of said incoming packets; and in a case that a second given one of said incoming packets is from one of said tagged routes, selectively discarding said second given one of said incoming packets to meet said predetermined percentage.
The system discards a percentage of packets going to top bandwidth users by examining all incoming packets at the network's entry point. If a packet does *not* come from a tagged route (a route associated with a top user), it is passed through normally. If a packet *does* come from a tagged route, it is selectively discarded to meet the pre-determined percentage target for bandwidth reduction.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein: said identifying of said top usage subset comprises: ranking all of said customers of said packet communications network from highest usage to lowest usage, based on usage of said packet communications network for a predetermined time period, to obtain a ranked list having a top and a bottom; and picking at least two of said customers from said top of said ranked list to obtain said top usage subset, said picking being carried out by adding said customers from said top of said ranked list until a sufficient number of members are present in said top usage subset to obtain said desired amount of reduction in bandwidth utilization; and said step of discarding said predetermined percentage of said packets destined for said top usage subset comprises: examining, at said entry point of said communications network, all incoming packets; in a case that a first given one of said incoming packets is not from one of said tagged routes, passing said first given one of said incoming packets; and in a case that a second given one of said incoming packets is from one of said tagged routes, selectively discarding said second given one of said incoming packets to meet said predetermined percentage; further comprising periodically; re-determining said top usage subset; and removing from said identified routes any of said identified routes no longer associated with said top usage subset.
The system monitors network traffic to identify the top bandwidth users (at least two) on a packet-based network. It then finds the network routes used by those top users at the network's entry point, and tags these routes with BGP community tags. Finally, the system discards a set percentage of packets going to those top users to reduce overall network bandwidth usage, discarding packets from tagged routes while passing others. Periodically, the system re-evaluates the top bandwidth users. If routes are no longer associated with current top users, those routes are removed from the tagged set, dynamically updating the traffic policing rules.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a system, wherein the system comprises distinct software modules, each of the distinct software modules being embodied on a tangible computer-readable recordable storage medium, and wherein the distinct software modules comprise a packet analysis module and a routing module; wherein: said step of identifying, in said set of customers of said packet communications network, said top usage subset, is carried out by said packet analysis module implemented on a deep packet inspection box; said step of identifying, at said entry point of said communications network, said routes of said packets destined for said top usage subset, is carried out by said packet analysis module implemented on said deep packet inspection box; and said step of discarding said predetermined percentage of said packets destined for said top usage subset is carried out by said router module implemented on a router.
The system uses separate software components to manage network traffic. A packet analysis module (running on a deep packet inspection box) identifies the top bandwidth users and their network routes at the entry point. A routing module (running on a router) discards a set percentage of packets going to those top users. The modules work together. The packet analysis module finds the top users and routes, and the routing module enforces the discarding policy.
13. An apparatus comprising: means for identifying, in a set of customers of a packet communications network, a top usage subset, said top usage subset comprising those of said customers who are using more bandwidth of said packet communications network than other ones of said customers, said top usage subset including at least two of said customers; means for identifying, at an entry point of said communications network, routes of packets destined for said top usage subset, said routes comprising border gateway protocol routes, by: identifying a next hop for those of said packets destined for said top usage subset; based on said next hops, determining said routes of said packets destined for said top usage subset; and tagging said routes of said packets destined for said top usage subset with border gateway protocol community tags as tagged customer-specific routes with identical next hops; and means for discarding a predetermined percentage of said packets destined for said top usage subset, based on said border gateway protocol community tags, said predetermined percentage being determined in order to reduce bandwidth utilization of said packet communications network by a desired amount, said predetermined percentage being identical for all of said customers in said top usage subset.
The system contains components which identify the top bandwidth users (at least two) on a packet-based network. It finds the network routes (using Border Gateway Protocol) used by those top users at the network's entry point. The system identifies the next hop for packets destined for these top users, determines the routes based on these hops, and tags these routes with BGP community tags for customer-specific routes sharing identical next hops. Finally, the system discards a set percentage of packets going to those top users to reduce overall network bandwidth usage. The percentage is the same for all users in the top usage group.
14. An article of manufacture comprising a computer program product, said computer program product in turn comprising a non-transitory tangible computer readable recordable storage medium, storing in a non-transitory mariner computer readable program code, the computer program product including: computer usable program code configured to identify, in a set of customers of a packet communications network, a top usage subset, said top usage subset comprising those of said customers who are using more bandwidth of said packet communications network than other ones of said customers, said top usage subset including at least two of said customers; computer usable program code configured to identify, at an entry point of said communications network, routes of packets destined for said top usage subset, said routes comprising border gateway protocol routes, by: identifying a next hop for those of said packets destined for said top usage subset; based on said next hops, determining said routes of said packets destined for said top usage subset; and tagging said routes of said packets destined for said top usage subset with border gateway protocol community tags as tagged customer-specific routes with identical next hops; and computer usable program code configured to discard a predetermined percentage of said packets destined for said top usage subset, based on said border gateway protocol community tags, said predetermined percentage being determined in order to reduce bandwidth utilization of said packet communications network by a desired amount, said predetermined percentage being identical for all of said customers in said top usage subset.
The system consists of computer program code stored on a non-transitory medium. The code identifies the top bandwidth users (at least two) on a packet-based network. It finds the network routes (using Border Gateway Protocol) used by those top users at the network's entry point. The system identifies the next hop for packets destined for these top users, determines the routes based on these hops, and tags these routes with BGP community tags for customer-specific routes sharing identical next hops. Finally, the system discards a set percentage of packets going to those top users to reduce overall network bandwidth usage. The percentage is the same for all users in the top usage group.
15. The article of manufacture of claim 14 , further comprising distinct software modules, each of the distinct software modules being embodied on said tangible computer-readable recordable storage medium, said distinct software modules comprising a packet analysis module and a routing module; wherein: said packet analysis module comprises: said computer usable program code configured to identify, in said set of customers of a packet communications network, said top usage subset; and said computer usable program code configured to identify, at said entry point of said communications network, said routes of said packets destined for said top usage subset; and said routing module comprises said computer usable program code configured to discard said predetermined percentage of said packets.
Building on the previous claim, the computer program code consists of distinct software modules: a packet analysis module and a routing module. The packet analysis module contains the code to identify the top bandwidth users and their routes. The routing module contains the code to discard packets based on those routes.
16. A system for policing traffic from a first packet-based network to a second packet-based network, said system comprising: a replicator configured to be coupled to the first packet-based network; a packet analysis module coupled to said replicator; and a router coupled to said replicator and said packet analysis module, and configured to be coupled to the second packet-based network; wherein: said replicator receives packets from the first packet-based network, passes said packets to said router, and passes a copy of said packets to said packet analysis module; said packet analysis module identifies, in a set of customers of the second packet-based network, a top usage subset, said top usage subset comprising those of said customers who are using more bandwidth of the second packet-based network than other ones of said customers, said top usage subset including at least two of said customers; said packet analysis module identifies, at an entry point of the second packet-based network, routes of packets destined for said top usage subset, said routes comprising border gateway protocol routes, by: identifying a next hop for those of said packets destined for said top usage subset; based on said next hops, determining said routes of said packets destined for said top usage subset; and tagging said routes of said packets destined for said top usage subset with border gateway protocol community tags as tagged customer-specific routes with identical next hops; and said router discards a predetermined percentage of said packets destined for said top usage subset, based on said border gateway protocol community tags, said predetermined percentage being determined in order to reduce bandwidth utilization of the second packet-based network by a desired amount, said predetermined percentage being identical for all of said customers in said top usage subset.
The system manages traffic from one network to another, including a replicator, a packet analysis module, and a router. The replicator copies incoming packets and sends them to both the router and the packet analysis module. The packet analysis module identifies the top bandwidth users (at least two) on the *second* network, determines their routes (using BGP), identifies the next hop for packets destined for these top users, determines the routes based on these hops, and tags these routes with BGP community tags for customer-specific routes sharing identical next hops. The router then discards a set percentage of packets going to those top users to reduce bandwidth usage on the second network.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein said packet analysis module and said router are cooperatively configured to refrain from discarding any of those of said packets destined for special customers not eligible for traffic policing.
Expanding upon the system, the packet analysis module and router are configured to avoid discarding packets destined for "special customers." These customers are exempt from traffic policing, meaning that their traffic is not subject to the standard packet discarding rules.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein said packet analysis module identifies said top usage subset by: ranking all of said customers of the second packet-based network from highest usage to lowest usage, based on usage of the second packet-based network for a predetermined time period, to obtain a ranked list having a top and a bottom; and picking at least two of said customers from said top of said ranked list to obtain said top usage subset, said picking being carried out by adding said customers from said top of said ranked list until a sufficient number of members are present in said top usage subset to obtain said desired amount of reduction in bandwidth utilization.
Expanding upon the system, the packet analysis module identifies top bandwidth users by ranking all customers of the second network from highest to lowest bandwidth usage over a specific period. It then selects the top customers (at least two) from the ranked list until the desired bandwidth reduction is achieved. This effectively targets the biggest bandwidth consumers for traffic management.
19. The system of claim 16 , wherein said packet analysis module prepares a report listing said customers in said top usage subset.
In addition to managing traffic, the packet analysis module generates a report listing the customers who are currently identified as top bandwidth users. This report provides visibility into which customers are being subjected to traffic shaping through packet discarding.
20. The system of claim 16 , wherein said router discards said predetermined percentage of said packets destined for said top usage subset by: examining, at said entry point of the second packet-based network, all incoming packets; in a case that a first given one of said incoming packets is not from one of said identified routes, passing said first given one of said incoming packets; and in a case that a second given one of said incoming packets is from one of said identified routes, selectively discarding said second given one of said incoming packets to meet said predetermined percentage.
To discard a percentage of packets going to top bandwidth users, the router examines all incoming packets at the entry point of the second network. If a packet does *not* come from one of the identified routes (associated with a top user), it is passed normally. If a packet *does* come from one of those routes, it is selectively discarded to meet the pre-determined target percentage.
21. The system of claim 16 , wherein: said packet analysis module identifies said top usage subset by: ranking all of said customers of the second packet-based network from highest usage to lowest usage, based on usage of the second packet-based network for a predetermined time period, to obtain a ranked list having a top and a bottom; and picking at least two of said customers from said top of said ranked list to obtain said top usage subset, said picking being carried out by adding said customers from said top of said ranked list until a sufficient number of members are present in said top usage subset to obtain said desired amount of reduction in bandwidth utilization; and said router discards said predetermined percentage of said packets destined for said top usage subset by: examining, at said entry point of the second packet-based network, all incoming packets; in a case that a first given one of said incoming packets is not from one of said tagged routes, passing said first given one of said incoming packets; and in a case that a second given one of said incoming packets is from one of said tagged routes, selectively discarding said second given one of said incoming packets to meet said predetermined percentage; said packet analysis module periodically re-determines said top usage subset; and said packet analysis module periodically removes from said identified routes any of said identified routes no longer associated with said top usage subset.
The packet analysis module identifies top bandwidth users by ranking all customers of the second network from highest to lowest bandwidth usage. The top users are selected until the desired reduction is achieved. The router discards packets from tagged routes while passing others. Periodically, the packet analysis module re-evaluates the top bandwidth users. If routes are no longer associated with current top users, those routes are removed from the tagged set, dynamically updating the traffic policing rules.
Unknown
November 11, 2014
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